Mat Walklate is an accomplished harmonica and flute player, a fine singer and uilleann pipe player, as much at home playing Irish traditional music as he is the blues. (He won the British Blues Harmonica Championship when he was only twenty-one).

Matt Fahey is a superb singer, one of the best interpreters of traditional song on these shores and a skilled, dynamic guitar player, equally adept at accompanying vocals and instrumental music.

Together, as the House Devils, they provide their own unique take on traditional Irish music. But where does the name come from? Well, one day back in 1930s Dublin, Matt’s grandma Mary Fahey was walking down Rialto Street when she stopped to chat to a neighbour.

When the conversation turned to the subject of their respective children, the neighbour remarked that Mary must be very proud of her son Colm (later to become Matt’s dad) as he was such a “lovely, well-mannered boy”.

Mary replied that Colm was indeed a fine young man, but that he could be a handful at times, especially at home. When the neighbour expressed surprise at this, Mary replied, “You know what they say: Street Angel  – House Devil!”

“Mat Walklate is one of the best harmonica players on the planet”  –  Mike Harding